Dreamer

What a term: “Dreamer.” It typically gives off a negative vibe, but why? It’s someone with their “head in the clouds,” someone not taking life seriously. Really? My take on a dreamer, especially revolving around my real estate career, shows professionals who have thought way outside the box. In that place beyond the masses you will find a group of real estate agents and clients who were successful because of a dream or because they did not have fear to keep them from crossing over from reality to be a dreamer. So here goes. Hold on, because this dreamer drives crazy!

Growing up on a small horse farm in Illinois wasn’t glamorous, but it was very comfortable. I came from two very hard-working parents who, like most, wanted better for their child. Did I mention “only” child and being a daughter? I cannot remember ever really wanting for anything, but my expectations, according to my mother, were never materialistic. Most girls wanted designer jeans, I wanted a $1,000 silver-studded saddle. But, I digress . . . So, this term “dreamer” – I have heard it used to describe me for as long as I can remember.

“She gets good grades, but wow, what a dreamer.”

“Tobi, those horses are not going to feed themselves. Stop daydreaming.”

And my mom’s favorite (if I had a dollar for every time she said this I would own all the properties I sell):

“Whatcha dreamin’ about?”

Well . . . EVERYTHING! I dreamed about everything: meeting the perfect man (I did), having beautiful kids (two of them . . . check), finding the perfect career (did that, too), living on a beach somewhere because at the time the thought of seeing corn fields for the rest of my life was a nightmare (and, well, I just did that, too). Those are just barely scratching the dreams; some have not yet been realized. (Notice I said “YET”!) College, haven’t finished that yet. See India, not yet. Still dreaming . . . That’s the beauty of dreamers, we are NEVER done. Until the day we die, there is never a time when we are finished, because when one dream is realized we have 387 more waiting in the wings.

What would this world be without dreamers? There would be no technology, no cures, no charities, no fortunes, nothing to aim for.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, patience, and the passion to reach for the stars and to change the world.”
– Harriet Tubman

So what does this have to do with real estate?

Simple. EVERYTHING! We all need to be somewhere. This requires a place to live, to exist. Where is that for you? The big city? In the mountains? On the prairie? Or my personal favorite, on the beach? Well, what are you waiting for? Time isn’t stopping, not for me, not for you, not for anyone. Is it scary to make a drastic life change? Not only yes, but Hell Yes! We dreamed of Alabama, awake and asleep, flat-out dreamed! We made a plan, we executed it, and BAM! – here we are in BAMA! Sounds easy? Well, it is. And by easy, I don’t mean it will just happen because you wish it to. I mean if something is important enough, dreamers will make it happen.

Real estate example

As a young agent, there was a successful investor in our small rural area. I remember hearing, “If you get him, you’ve done something.” So, insert dreaming, which actually became stalking! I started writing him letters, literally every week. I did this for about 6 months, full well knowing that the first 10 went in the trash. Then the next 10 probably scared him. Knowing most entrepreneurs are also dreamers, I banked that the next 10 intrigued him enough to meet the crazy real estate agent! Guess what . . . I was right. Well, sorta. One day, there I stood with him at a listing, not representing him, and he said, “There is an agent from your agency that sends me letters constantly!” Not much else to do, so I replied, “Yes, sir, that is me.” We both laughed and went on to work together for almost 10 years. I assisted his company with the purchase of approximately 50 homes from that point and he became a very dear friend. So there is your example as a professional.

As a “dream maker” for clients, there are just too many stories to even tell. I have been there to help when selling the family home for empty nesters. I have been there for what is probably my favorite, the first home. Young couples, one usually dreaming of where a 65″ TV will go for football nights and one dreaming which room will be the baby’s. I have been through the estate that shows the full circle when the children sit at a kitchen table and dream back to “remember this with Mom” or “remember when Dad got mad because we broke this” . . . Those are hard, but I always felt extremely honored that I was chosen for those moments. Now there’s a whole new excitement when a client says, “We want a place on the beach to share with our family and friends. This has always been our dream!” WOW! Right then and there it hits me: God gave me my path to be with like-minded souls! To be with the others, the dreamers!

So here you go. I opened the door, you just have to walk in. What is your dream? Mine? Well, mine is to get you to yours!

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IL Group’s core value has always been to provide superior customer service to every client. With more than 25 years of experience providing financial institutions with customized insurance products and services, IL Group has continued to successfully develop its core business by maintaining a deep understanding of each client’s unique needs.